Nayans

The Nayans are one of two peoples in the world setting that fit the standard archetype of as human. A typical Nayan doesn't actually pay much attention to race, rather they would see the world through the similarly rigid world view of caste and culture. Caste is culturally their true identity. They are the most numerous people, and the natives of Naya Aadesh. Most of the Maharaja setting gives an in depth view of their beliefs and culture, and they are the standard and normative race of Naya Aadesh.

Physical Descriptions: Nayans stand on average have dark complexions with brown skin and eyes and straight black hair, but they vary by region and darker and lighter varieties are not rare. They tend to have Caucasoid frames and facial structure, but like everything else in Naya Aadesh, this is a rule with a thousand exceptions.

Society: The Caste system leads to rulership by the Kshatriya, scholarship and religious leadership by the Brahmin, management of the economy, agriculture and art by Vashya and hard unskilled labor by the Shudra. That which is intolerable is left to the Untouchables. Naya Aadesh is organised under a feudal system of many independent principalities called Rajs.

Relations: The Nayans have uneasy relations with all of their neighbors. While on the one hand they possess the belief in diversity and that all things are one, they take great offense at many of the practices of their neighbors. They loathe the cannibalism, Asura or Ma'lo worship, practice of slavery, practice of sorcery, xenophobia, cattle killing, and atheism that characterize each of their neighbors. Add to this the belief that all outsiders are casteless, and thus spiritually polluted, and things can be tense.

Alignment and Religion: The Nayans worship the Devas (see Deities of Naya Aadesh), and their society is typically lawful good. Exceptions to the normative alignment are common.

Adventurers: Most Nayan adventurers are Rajanni, the guardian caste of the roads and rivers of Naya Aadesh. Other adventurers are those who have aged beyond the house-holder stage of life and become Sanayasin. While Sanayasin typically retire to the forest, they are not bound to be anywhere in particular as long as they keep within a contemplative lifestyle, thus many that are inclined to a nomadic lifestyle and social will attach to cadres of Rajanni and serve as gurus to their often younger companions. Sometimes a Kshatriya or a Brahmin will be tasked with a particular far reaching mission and will be attached to a group of Rajanni who serve as escort. Vashya that trade using caravans can sometimes also become adventurers. A Shudra is seldom found adventuring.

Nayans are medium Humanoids (human, Nayan), and have the following typical racial characteristics:

Ability Score Racial Traits: Nayan characters gain a +2 racial bonus to both Constitution and Wisdom. Nayans are hardy people who live a life of purity and respect discipline

Size: Nayans are Medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Base Speed: Nayans have a base speed of 30 feet.

Languages: Nayans begin play speaking Purana. Nayans with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages). Players are encouraged to take (make up) regional and caste specific languages.

Feat and Skill Racial Traits

Pure of Body: Nayans recieve a +2 racial bonus to saves vs disease (non-magical) and ingested poisons as well as effects that sicken or nauseate.

Dharmic Focus: Nayans receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat

Past Lives: All Nayans carry with them remembrances of their past lives from their soul's travels along the Kharmic wheel. Nayans select 2 knowledge skills. They are considered class skills and they receive a +2 racial bonus on checks with those skills.